Date Archives: November 2020

With more than 2 billion cookies consumed in the United States each year, it might seem that every day is Cookie Day. But Friday, December 4 is as good an occasion as any to join our REALTORS® in celebrating with a dozen or two of your favorite cookies from these great bakeries around Long Island.

• Buttercooky Bakery - 495 New York Ave., Huntington, NY 11743
  The name of Buttercooky Bakery gives you a hint about their slogan: "Baked with Butter, Makes It Better." Owner Ben Borgognone's European-style baked goods are so highly regarded that he was asked to be the star of a pastry chef reality show. The bakery, located minutes from Huntington homes for sale, offers so many different types of cookies that it takes four categories to list them all. Buttercooky Bakery is open daily from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.
  
  
• Fehn's Cake & Cookie Shop - 3649 Merrick Rd., Seaford, NY 11783
  At Fehn's Cake & Cookie Shop, baking is truly a family affair. Current owners Kathy and Heidi are continuing the tradition of their parents, William and Gussie, who opened the shop more than 50 years ago. Fehn's cookies are so popular that they now offer shipping of 1.5- and 3-pound assortments in tins for any occasion. Hours are 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 6 a.m. - 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 6 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Dortoni Bakery and Pastry Shoppe - 11 Vanderbilt Motor Pkwy., Commack, NY 11725
  Brighten your day with a colorful rainbow cookie from Dortoni Bakery and Pastry, considered by many to be the best version of this classic favorite in Nassau County. Dortoni serves the area near Commack homes for sale, but it's reminiscent of traditional pastry shops in Naples, Italy, with its menu of simple but flavorful cookies such as biscotti and hand-decorated shortbread. Dortoni is open 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. seven days a week.
  
  
• Tate's Bake Shop - 43 N. Sea Rd., Southampton, NY 11968
  Located in a charming pistachio-colored house, Tate's Bake Shop is a longstanding part of the community around Southampton homes for sale. But thanks to high-profile fans such as Rachael Ray and Gwyneth Paltrow, Tate's chocolate chip cookies have been acclaimed as tops in the nation. The shop's trademark thin, crispy cookies also come in oatmeal raisin, butter crunch and other delicious flavors. Hours are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. daily.
  
  
• The Sweet Escape Bakery - 771 Montauk Hwy., Suite 11, Bayport, NY 11705
  Enjoy cookies with a Continental flair at the Sweet Escape Bakery, not far from Bayport homes for sale. The Sweet Escape specializes in macarons, a classic French candy-colored sandwich cookie with a delicate exterior and luscious filling. Choose from 20 flavors, including Fruity Pebbles, Strawberry Cheesecake and Salted Caramel. Hours are 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday and Friday, 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 3 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sunday.
  
  
• Alpine Pastry Shoppe - 59 Route 111, Smithtown, NY 11787
  For more than 30 years, Alpine Pastry Shoppe has been delighting the community around Smithtown homes for sale with a variety of traditional Italian cookies. The Cuccia family uses recipes handed down through generations to create their butter cookies, biscotti, pignoli and other authentic treats. Alpine Pastry Shoppe is open 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sunday.

From Nassau County homes for sale to Suffolk County homes for sale, we've got Long Island covered. Contact us at Coach Realtors for more information.

After preparing your home to add to the inventory of Nassau County homes for sale, you've accepted an offer. While it may feel like the hard work is over, you still have to make it through the home inspection. Unfortunately, it's common for real estate deals to fall through due to a poor home inspection. Here are a few tips home sellers should follow throughout the home inspection process. 

1. Leave Your Property During the Home Inspection
   While it's common for homebuyers to attend a portion or even all of a home inspection, our REALTORS® recommend that the home seller leave their home during the inspection. You're only going to be nervous and anxious watching someone spend hours combing your home looking for problems.
   
   Your presence may also be awkward for the buyer. Pack up your family (including your pets) and vacate your home during the inspection.
   
   
2. Declutter and Move Large Items Before the Inspection
   See that you move any clutter or large items that may be obscuring items or areas that the inspector will want to examine. For example, if your electrical panel is usually behind a large set of shelving, move the shelving unit so that the inspector has easy access. 
   
   The inspector can't move your belongings during the inspection. If the inspector can't inspect an area, the buyer may be leery of continuing with the deal.
   
   
3. Decide if a Pre-Inspection is Right for Your Home
   Before they list their home with the Suffolk County homes for sale, some sellers arrange a pre-inspection. As the name suggests, a pre-inspection is a home inspection that occurs before the house is put on the market. 
   
   The idea behind a pre-inspection is that it gives you a chance to fix any issues that might pop up during a home inspection (or at least informs you of potential problems). Aren't sure whether your home is impacted by a specific type of issue, such as an outdated electrical system? In that case, the pre-inspection will let you know if it's an issue. 
   
   An argument against a pre-inspection is that it might uncover a lot of minor issues that won't be a big concern with homebuyers. You're unlikely to recoup all of the money that you spend making repairs for any issues detected by the pre-inspection.
   
   
4. Understand What Is and Isn't an Issue
   Every home inspection reports problems with a home, even if the property has been well-maintained. You need to know what issues are high-level problems; these are the items that are likely to be potential dealbreakers if you can't come to a resolution with the buyer about how to handle them. Any problems that involve code violations or a health issue will likely require your attention before your deal can close. The issues include:

• Water damage
• Problems with the home's structural integrity (like foundation issues)
• Plumbing problems
• Unreliable HVAC systems
• Roof damage
• Damage to the electrical system
• Problems with the subflooring 

5. See That Your Utilities are All Turned On
   If you're still living in the home, this tip might not be necessary, but if you've already moved, make sure that all your utilities (like your water, electricity, and gas) are turned on. The inspector needs these items to work to test your home's major systems. 

Have more questions about selling your home? Contact us today for assistance!

Whether you're fully remodeling your kitchen or just giving it a bit of a facelift, choosing the right backsplash is one of the most important decisions in the design process. When showing homes, our real estate agents find that a kitchen's backsplash can have a make-it-or-break-it effect. It might not be a large space we're talking about, but it puts the finishing touches on your new look and ties everything together.

Here are five tips to help you pick the right backsplash for your kitchen.

1. Try Before You Buy
   How materials and paint colors look in the store, under harsh fluorescent lighting, is one thing; how they'll look in your home is quite another. Never commit to anything before taking samples home with you. Prop the backsplash samples up against your existing backsplash, along with other samples you are considering, and just live with them for a few days. Notice how they look as the lighting in your kitchen changes throughout the day, and how they coordinate with other samples such as paint chips.
   
   
2. Be Practical
   It's natural to want your kitchen to look the best your money can buy, but don't forget to be practical, too. Make choices that will help you stay within budget and also think about your purchases as an investment. What materials will wear the best over time, stay in fashion the longest, be the easiest to clean, and require the least maintenance? For example, some tile is very porous and may be difficult to clean, especially over the stove where grease from cooking is likely to find all the nooks and crannies. And marble, while very attractive, will need to be sealed with special chemicals once a year to maintain its look long term.
   
   
3. Coordinate, Don't Match
   Your backsplash may be an extension of your countertops, but don't make the common mistake of trying to match the two perfectly to one another. Matching makes them blend together, rather than drawing the eye, the way you want to do. Instead, look for something that coordinates with your countertops and other design elements of your kitchen, but stands out a little from the rest.
   
   
4. Choose a Great Grout
   Don't underestimate the importance of grout! Grout does more than just fill the spaces between the tile. A well-chosen grout sets the tile off, showing it to its best advantage. A quality grout is important for a long-lasting quality renovation, of course, but the color of your grout and how well it coordinates with the tile is also important.
   
   
5. Make a Splash
   Most kitchen updates are fairly straightforward. There's not a lot you can do with a kitchen, other than picking out countertops and cabinet colors. Your backsplash is your chance to make a statement! It's a small space, so you can afford to take some risks, especially over the sink and stove, two important focal points in most kitchens. Spring for the better tile or do something a little different, like turning square tile on the diagonal.

The Importance of Kitchen Updates

Most real estate agents agree that the kitchen is one of the top areas of the home to invest in. It's the heart of every home, and everyone loves one that is attractive and well-appointed. If you're interested in listing your house among other Nassau County homes for sale or Suffolk County homes for sale, we can help! Contact us today to start the process.

We know preparing Thanksgiving dinner requires time and effort. Long Island has many fine dining establishments with special Thanksgiving menus for those who prefer to enjoy the holiday without the stress of cooking. While the COVID-19 pandemic may limit dine-in availability, many of these restaurants are offering takeout options this year. Below are some Thanksgiving dining recommendations from our REALTORS®.

• The Capital Grille - 630 Old Country Rd., Garden City, NY 11530
  The Capital Grille is a great option for Thanksgiving dinner in Garden City, and their dining room's comfortable elegance can serve as a perfect backdrop for your family meal. They offer a special Thanksgiving day menu, which features slow-roasted turkey and brioche stuffing. However, if you're in the mood for one of their famous dry-aged steaks, you can order off the regular menu as well. After dinner, check out some of these Garden City homes for sale.
  
  
• Jonathan's Ristorante - 15 Wall St., Huntington, NY 11743
  A Huntington staple since the mid-'90s, Jonathan's Ristorante is the perfect place to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner with your family. In addition to their regular menu, Jonathan's typically offers Thanksgiving specials such as traditional roasted turkey, butternut squash soup, and pumpkin pie. Dinner is served from 2 to 8 pm., and takeout options are available. Swing by some of these Huntington homes for sale on your way home.
  
  
• Mirabelle Restaurant - 150 Main St., Stony Brook, NY 11790
  One of the finest restaurants in all of Long Island, Mirabelle Restaurant at the Three Village Inn in Stony Brook offers fresh farm-to-table dishes across a French bistro-inspired menu. While Mirabelle's serves a dine-in Thanksgiving dinner most years, this year they are offering Thanksgiving meals to go. The meal package serves between 10-12 people and includes roasted turkey, all the trimmings, and freshly baked pie. After you pick-up your delicious dinner, take a look at these Stony Brook homes for sale.
  
  
• Thyme - 8 Tower Pl., Roslyn, NY 11576
  Thyme's "harmonious" approach to food, fresh ingredients, and plate presentation makes them a great fine dining choice in Roslyn, not far from these Nassau County homes for sale. This year, Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 1 to 8 pm. For those who would prefer to eat at home, Thyme is offering curbside pickup and heating instructions to help you prepare your meal yourself.
  
  
• Brasserie Americana Bar, Lounge & Restaurant - 30 Cutter Mill Rd., Great Neck, NY 11021
  This French/American restaurant is located inside The Inn at Great Neck in Nassau County. This year, Brasserie Americana is offering a Thanksgiving to-go feast for $259. The meal serves 8-10 people and includes turkey with your choice of brisket or honey glazed ham, two starters, three sides, and one pie.
  
  
• Cooperage Inn - 2218 Sound Ave., Baiting Hollow, NY 11933
  Cooperage Inn is a classic Long Island restaurant offering a large special Thanksgiving dinner menu this year with a variety of classic holiday dishes. The full menu is also available for takeout, so you can pick-up dinner after visiting these Suffolk County homes for sale. 

With so many great options, providing a delicious Thanksgiving feast for your family can be easy this year. Contact us for more local restaurant recommendations.